What Occupations Need a DBS Check?
Most people are familiar with DBS Checks being mentioned prior to applying for a job, and as part of the recruitment process. It could, however, be your first time of being asked to complete a DBS Check application. Some occupations require you to have completed a DBS Check before you can start work, and depending on a person’s criminal background, they could have their job application rejected based on their DBS Certificate and what it reports; but this does not happen frequently. Not every job will request a DBS Check. But there are some occupations, where it is much more likely, these are mentioned in the article below.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS Check looks at your past criminal record, and reports upon it; so that a prospective employer can use this information to decide whether you are suitable for a job with their company, without posing a risk to their customers, existing staff, and the company itself.
The DBS Check would report any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. Depending on the job the person is applying for, it may also look at the barred lists for working with children or vulnerable adults, and collect information held by local police forces.
Convictions and cautions can be expunged from a criminal record after either 11 years (if you were 18 years + at the time of the conviction) or 5.5 years (if you were under 18 at the time of the conviction); and cautions will be removed after 6 years (if over 18 at time of the caution) or 2 years (if under 18 at the time of the caution). There are some crimes, such as violent or sexual offences, child-related crimes, terrorism, or crimes that were committed abroad, which will never be removed from criminal records.
When the company sees the DBS Check it is their decision at that point, as to whether they wish to continue with your job application.
List of Occupations That Need a DBS Check
There are varying levels of DBS Check depending on what job a person is applying for, the level of check may differ: Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List.
Enhanced DBS Checks with Barred Lists are needed for anyone who may work in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults such as:
- Teacher
- Social worker
- Carer
- Childminder or Foster Carer
- Nurse, First Aiders, First Responders
- Counsellors
- Taxi Drivers
- Immigration Services
Standard or Enhanced DBS Checks are needed for occupations that have a high level of responsibility or security or scrutiny. These jobs require a dependable trustworthy employee to carry them out.
- Accountants and Financial Advisors
- Veterinarians
- Solicitors and Barristers
- Locksmiths
- Security Guards
- Casino workers
If you want to do your own DBS Check, you are able to request a Basic Check as an individual. It is only employers or agencies who are able to request Standard or Enhanced level DBS Checks. A more detailed check would be required if you intend to work with vulnerable people, so as to ensure they are safeguarded.
People don’t legally have to agree to a Basic DBS Check. If a DBS Check is not required for the job, and the employee feels they have been discriminated against, they can take action against the employer.
DBS Checks should be back within four weeks, and often they are much quicker than this, but it is reasonable to expect that you’ll need to complete a DBS Check when applying for a new job, and especially if it is one of the occupations listed above.
